Fixing

ABSTRACT

A T-shaped fixing is formed of a first strip of plated steel providing a T-head limb and a second strip providing a T-stem limb. The limbs are connected by folding the steel double at one edge of the T-head strip and them folding the steel at right angles at the line joining the two limbs. To one side of the stem limb, the line is provided with a series of punched apertures to which pins are fitted. To the other side of the line, the head limb is provided with apertures for screw or rivet fixing of the fixing. The stem limb can also be provided with apertures. For use in insulating a square section duct, its corners are provided with fixings, with flanges having the pin apertures extending downwards at the lower corners and outwards at the upper corners.

The present invention relates to a fixing for light weight slab material and to an arrangement of fixed slabs.

Structures, including heating and air conditioning ducting, are insulated to avoid heat loss or gain. Traditional insulation of mineral wool is susceptible to damage and deterioration with age.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved fixing for light weight slab material, for its use in an insulated structure.

According to the invention there is provided a fixing for fixture of a light weight slab to a structure, the fixing comprising:

a first, generally planar limb;

a second, generally planar limb, set at an angle to the first limb and joined to it at a line extending in both limbs; and

a pin extending from at least one side of the first limb for penetrating into and fixture of the slab.

As used herein, the term “light weight slab” is intended to encompass slabs with a specific gravity less than one

Preferably, the angle is at least substantially a right angle

Whilst the fixing can be short in the direction of the line with a single pin only per fixing, it is preferably long in the direction of the line with a plurality of pins, with the limbs being in strip form extending in the direction of the line. Alternatively the plurality of pins can be provided in a plurality of short fixings, all being interconnected by an elongate member extending in the general direction of the said lines of the fixings.

In certain embodiments, the pins will extend from one side only of the first limb. In others they will extend through the first limb to project from both sides. In some embodiments, the pins will be permanently attached to the first limbs. Again in others, the pin(s) and the first limb or limbs are adapted for fitting of the pin(s) to the limb(s) during fixture of the light weight slab.

Preferably the fixing includes means adapting the second limb for attachment of the fixing to the structure.

The attachment means may be any of the following alone or in combination:

adhesive;

self-adhesive pads or strips;

magnetic attachments;

clips;

drillings for screws or rivets.

Whilst for certain uses, the fixing can be L-shaped in cross-section, in others it can be T-shaped, in which case the first limb having the pin(s) is likely to be the head of the T.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an insulated structure having sides arranged to have a rectangular cross-section, the structure including light weight slabs on the sides and fixings comprising:

a first, generally planar limb;

a second, generally planar limb, set at an angle to the first limb and joined to it at a line extending in both limbs;

a pin extending from at least one side of the first limb for penetrating into and fixture of the slab and

means adapting the second limb for attachment of the fixing to the structure and

wherein:

the or each pin extends through its first limb to project from both sides thereof;

the first limb(s) having the pin(s) comprise T-head limb(s); and

the fixings extend along edges between the adjacent sides in the rectangular structure, the slabs abutting edge to face with the interposition of T-head limbs and with these limbs' pins extending into the respective edges and faces of the slabs.

Preferably, a top one of the sides has T-head limbs of the fixings extending laterally of the edges of the top side and a top one of the slabs is laid on the top side and the T-head limbs, with pins extending up from the T-head limbs into the under-face of the top slab, whereby the top slab is located and reinforced against damage from loads at its edges.

Preferably, a bottom one of the sides has T-head limbs of the fixings extending downwards of the edges of the bottom side and a bottom one of the slabs is laid against the bottom side between the T-head limbs, with pins extending laterally from the T-head limbs into the edges of the bottom slab.

Preferably, lateral ones of the slabs are laid against lateral sides, with their top edges abutting the underside of the T-head limbs of the top ones of the fixings and with their inside faces at their lower edges abutting the outsides of the T-head limbs of the bottom ones of the fixings.

Preferably, the insulated structure includes a capping having a central web and turned down flanges, the capping being laid over a top one of the light weight slabs.

Normally the insulated structure includes a plurality of slabs along the length each side, joints in the slabs being taped.

An insulated structure can include a flanged joint in the structure, with flanges turned outwards of the sides, the slabs being grooved to accommodate the flanges and provided with a vent through one, preferably the bottom, one of the grooved slabs. A non-return valve can be provided in the vent, directed for allowing pressure air released at the flanged joint and/or water that has leaked into the insulation to escape from within the slabs.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an insulated structure having a wall with a circular cross-section, the structure including a circular cylindrical insulation of light weight slab material and fixings comprising:

a first, generally planar limb;

a second, generally planar limb, set at an angle to the first limb and joined to it at a line extending in both limbs;

a pin extending from at least one side of the first limb for penetrating into and fixture of the slab and

means adapting the second limb for attachment of the fixing to the structure and

wherein:

the fixings extend around the structure at ends of the circular insulation, with the fixings' pins extending into the end edges of the insulation.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from one side of a fixing according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from another side of another fixing according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the fixing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the fixing of FIG. 1 with an alternative pin retention feature;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the fixing of FIG. 1 with another alternative pin retention feature;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a square section ducting equipped with fixings of FIG. 1 for fixture of light weight insulation;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 6 showing slab assembly sequence;

FIG. 8 is a scrap view of a self tapping fixture for bottom slabs;

FIG. 9 is a scrap view of a flange joint in a ducting;

FIG. 10 is a similar view of insulation around the flange joint;

FIG. 11 is a sectioned side view of the insulation shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a curved ducting with fixings of the invention secured to it;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a circular section ducting insulated with slab material;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a slab fitting to stud-work with use of fixings according to the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a T-shaped fixing 1 lo formed of a first strip 2 of plated steel providing in cross-section a T-head limb and a second strip 3 providing a T-stem limb, the T being invert in FIG. 1. The limbs are connected by folding the steel double at one edge 4 of the T-head strip and then folding the steel at right angles at the line 5 joining the two limbs.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the steel can be slit to the line 5, with alternate oppositely directed ears 6,7 being folded into the head of the T, into a toothed /castellated arrangement.

To one side of the stem limb and the line 5, the head limb is provided with a series of punched apertures 8 to which pointed pins 9 are fitted. The apertures can be circular as in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the pins having crimps 10 to stop them from passing straight through the apertures. Alternatively, as in FIG. 4, the pins can be formed with grooves 11 and the apertures with indented edges 12, whereby on insertion of the pins, the edges engage in and grip the grooves, whereby the pins are retained. Again as shown in FIG. 5, the pins can be shouldered 14, the shoulder regulating the pin's desired position with respect to the apertured limb in the same way as the crimps 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the folded flange 15 can be apertured for the pin. This is advantageous in support of slab edges as referred to below.

To the other side of the line, the head limb is provided with apertures 16 for screw or rivet fixing of the fixing. The stem limb can also be provided with apertures 17.

For use in insulating a square section duct 21, as shown in FIG. 6, its corners are provided with fixings 1, with flanges having the pin apertures extending downwards at the lower corners and outwards at the upper corners. The flanges having the pin apertures are referenced 22 at the lower corners and 23 at the upper corners. The fixings are screwed or riveted to the ducts via the apertures 16, 11/ at 24. Alternatively, fixings can be attached by self adhesive pads 25 in equivalent positions.

Lightweight insulation 26, such as made of closed cell polyisocyanurate slab, is first fitted to the underside 27 of the duct, with pins 9 being inserted laterally through the flanges 22 into the edges 28 of the slab, when the slabs are of a size to require two man operation. However, normally one man fitting is possible, in the following sequence as shown in FIG. 7:

(i) Pins 9 are fitted from the inside of the flange 22 opposite from the fitter; (ii) The bottom insulation slab 26 is pressed against these pins, which support the far edge of the slab. The fitter then lifts the near edge up within the flange 22 on his side; (iii) Further pins 9 are fitted into this flange from the fitter's side, thus securing the bottom slab; (iv) Upper pins 9 are inserted down through the flanges 23; (v) The near lateral slab 30 is fitted up to the underside of the near flange 23, with the upper pins engaging in the top edge 31 of the lateral slab. This latter is then swung in against the pins in the lower flange until its edge 32 face abuts the side of the duct; (vi) The far lateral slab 30 is fitted in the same way. If need be the upper pins are pushed fully home into the top edges of the slabs 30; (vii) Top slabs 33 are placed on the top 34 of the duct, with their edge faces 35 supported by the flanges 23 from which the pins 9 extend into them, please see refer to FIG. 5 above; (viii) To allow walking on the duct, a capping 36 of bent sheet metal is laid on. Subsequent operations not indicated on FIG. 7 are as follows: (ix) At joints along the length of the slabs, which ave waterproof outer faces 37, tape 38 is applied to avoid ingress of water o provide a vapour barrier against condensation on the duct within the cladding; (x) The capping 36 is also can be secured with tape 39; (xi) Where the slabs are of such size to cause concern about their security, typically wider than 1.5 m, self tapping fixtures 29 as shown in FIG. 8 can be used to secure the slabs to their sides of the ducts. The capping also can be secured with the self tapping fixtures 29

The self-tapping fixtures 29 each have a drill tip 74 and a self-tapping screw thread 75 projecting from a larger diameter body 76. At the tip end of the body a sealing washer 77 is provided. The drive head 78 has an integral washer 79, which backs another sealing washer. The body is marginally shorter than the thickness of the slabs, whereby when the screw are fitted, with the front washer abutting the ducting, the head washer marginally compresses the slab. The washers seal against air egress from the duct and water ingress into the slab.

At a joint 40 in the duct, see FIGS. 9, 10 & 11, where joint flanges 41 project out, the insulation is provided as short lengths 42, grooved 43 to receive the flanges. A vent 44 is provided in the bottom grooved slab, with a non-return valve fitting 45. These allow any pressure air escaping from within the duct at the flanges 41 to exit from within the insulation. A short length 46 of capping bridges the joints at both ends of the slabs 42 and is strapped 47 on or secured with the self tapping fixtures.

Turning now to FIGS. 12, where the ducting is curved, the fixing 51 is short lengths of the fixing 1 with a wire or strip 52 included in the doubled back section, to space the short fixings around the ducting's curve.

Turning on to FIG. 13, the fixing 61 for a circular ducting 62 is of L-cross-section, with one flange 63 able to bend to the contour of the ducting and the other 64 is notched at 65 to allow the one to bend. The bendable flange has screw fixture points 66 and the notched flange has pin holes 67. The insulation 68 is grooved 69 and has a flexible outer wrapping 70.

A fixing 61 is first secured around the ducting, with pins 9 fitted. The insulation is then wrapped around the ducting and moved lengthways until the pins engage and the end 71 of the insulation abuts the notched flange 65. A second fixing 612 is then placed around the ducting, with its notched flange against the other end 72 of the first insulation wrap. It is secured and the pins are inserted in pin holes 67 and on into the end 72. A second insulation 682 is added and the process is continued along the ducting.

With reference to FIG. 14, use of T fixings 101 with stud-work 102 for securing an insulation board 103 is shown. The fixings are secured top and bottom to the stud-work. The board is lifted into position at the top first, being pressed (i.) against the pins of the upper T-fixing. The bottom is then swung (ii.) in against the pins of the lower fixing. Where a second insulation board is to be fitted prior to plaster board, the fixing can have an additional flange 104 and additional pins 105.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, instead of folding to form the two limbs of the T-shaped fixing, they can be of two strips, the stem limb having a small flange, via which the two limbs can be spot welded together. Whilst the above described fixings have been described to be metallic, they could be of plastics material, with the limbs being integrally extrusion moulded with punched apertures and the pins being injection moulded. Another possibility is for the limb parts to be moulded as just mentioned and the pins to be of metallic.

Alternatives can be used for attaching the fixings to the ducting. For instance, the fixings can primarily attached with adhesive, or with screw or pop rivets, whilst being initially held in place with spaced magnetic pads. Again the attachment means can be provided as lazy Z clips welded to the ducting to define grooves facing each other—or at least facing a corner edge of the ducting. The T-fixings can then be slid in along their length.

Where the T-fixings are used in other structures, such as the stud-work shown in FIG. 14, and indeed in certain ducting applications where it is more convenient, the pins can be factory-fitted to the fixings. Further in the stud-work application, the arrangement of the T-fixing can be modified for the upper run of the stud-work to have pins extending down from the head of the T, whereby the board can be offered up from below as in the lateral slabs show in FIG. 7. 

1. A fixing for fixture of a light weight slab to a structure, the fixing comprising: a first, generally planar limb; a second, generally planar limb, set at an angle to the first limb and joined to it at a line extending in both limbs; and a pin extending from at least one side of the first limb for penetrating into and fixture of the slab.
 2. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle is at least substantially a right angle.
 3. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing is short in the direction of the line with a single pin only per fixing.
 4. A fixing as claimed in claim 3, in combination with a plurality of other such fixings, all being interconnected by an elongate member extending in the general direction of the said lines of the fixings.
 5. A fixing as claimed in claim I, wherein the fixing is long in the direction of the line with a plurality of pins, with the limbs being in strip form extending in the direction of the line.
 6. A fixing as claimed claim 1, wherein the or each in extends from one side only of its first limb.
 7. A fixing as claimed in claim 1 any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each pin extends through its first limb to project from both sides thereof.
 8. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each pin is permanently attached to its first limb.
 9. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each pin and first limb are adapted for fitting of the pin(s) to the limb(s) during fixture of the light weight slab.
 10. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, including means adapting the second limb for attachment of the fixing to the structure.
 11. A fixing as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment means is adhesive.
 12. A fixing as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment means comprises anyone or more of magnetic or self-adhesive pads or strips and drillings for screws or rivets.
 13. A fixing as claimed in any claim 10, wherein the attachment means comprises clips attached to the structure.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limbs are arranged in L configuration.
 15. A fixing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limbs are arranged in T configuration.
 16. A fixing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first limb(s) having the pin(s) comprise T-head limb(s).
 17. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first limb(s) having pin(s) comprise T-head limb(s) and further having sides arranged to have a rectangular cross-section, the structure including light weight slabs on the sides and fixings , the fixings extending along edges between the adjacent sides in the rectangular structure, the slabs abutting edge to face with the interposition of T-head limbs and with these limbs' pins extending into the respective edges and faces of the slabs.
 18. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein a top one of the sides has T-head limbs of the fixings extending laterally of the edges of the top side and a top one of the slabs is laid on the top side and the T-head limbs, with pins extending up from the T-head limbs into the under-face of the top slab, whereby the top slab is located and reinforced against damage from loads at its edges.
 19. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein a bottom one of the sides has T-head limbs of the fixings extending downwards of the edges of the bottom side and a bottom one of the slabs is laid against the bottom side between the T-head limbs, with pins extending laterally from the T-head limbs into the edges of the bottom slab.
 20. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein lateral ones of the slabs are laid against lateral sides, with their top edges abutting the underside of the T-head limbs of the top ones of the fixings and with their inside faces at their lower edges abutting the outsides of the T-head limbs of the bottom ones of the fixings.
 21. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 17, including a capping having a central web and turned down flanges, the insulation being laid over a top one of the light weight slabs.
 22. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 17, including a plurality of slabs along the length each side, joints in the slabs being taped.
 23. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 17, including a flanged joint in the structure, with flanges turned outwards of the sides, the slabs being grooved to accommodate the flanges and provided with a vent through one, preferably the bottom, one of the grooved slabs
 24. An insulated structure as claimed in claim 23, including a non-return valve in the vent, directed for allowing escape of pressure air released at the flanged joint and water permeating within the slabs.
 25. An insulated structure having a wall with a circular cross-section, the structure including a circular cylindrical insulation of light weight slab material and fixings as claimed in claim 1, the fixings extending around the structure at ends of the circular insulation, with the fixings' pins extending into the end edges of the insulation. 